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It sounds like an excerpt from a cyberpunk novel, but scientific equipment that can map and decode your brain is already here. Advancements in neurotechnology are ushering in a new frontier of brain health, one that could have a profound impact on not just longevity, but overall quality of life. Of course, brain monitoring presents all kinds of ethical issues (a fact that organizations like UNESCO and The United Nations are already examining in great detail), but beyond the very legitimate concern of protecting our private thoughts, this new era also holds incredible potential—and the wellness industry is ready to meet the moment.
What is neurotechnology?
Neurotechnology is the confluence of neuroscience and technology, a field that has gained notable traction in recent years. These technologies are poised to dramatically shape the ways in which we understand and interact with the human brain, with implications for both medical health and holistic wellness. One example includes neurofeedback therapy, a non-invasive technique where sensors are placed on the scalp to measure and map electrical activity, ultimately empowering patients and their providers to identify patterns and retrain the mind. This therapy has shown promising results for treating ADHD. Or there’s brain stimulation therapies like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), where a coil that generates magnetic pulses is placed against the scalp, inducing electrical currents in the brain. This is an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder, and has also shown potential for treating chronic pain.
The new frontier of brain health
Brain health has always been at the core of wellness treatments—it’s par for the course. But this new wave of neurotechnology is bringing the topic into sharp focus for the wellness industry at large. “The body of evidence in this field is growing, and an increasing number of university research labs are dedicated to brain health and the prevention of neurological disorders,” says Professor Dr. Stefan Lorenzl, a renowned neurologist and palliative care physician specializing in neurodegenerative diseases.
A deeper understanding of neuroplasticity (our brain’s ability to adapt and change) is also playing a role in this cultural shift toward brain health. “People are becoming increasingly aware of how the brain governs everything—physical, mental, and emotional health—and how these elements are interconnected,” Dr. Abbey Houde says, who leads educational workshops at CIVANA in Arizona. “This has sparked interest in both high-tech innovations and natural, lifestyle-based approaches to long-term brain health.”
Lorenzl’s work with Lanserhof Tegernsee (an award-winning medical spa in Germany near the Bavarian Alps) combines technologies like neurofeedback therapy with a holistic approach through the resort’s new Brain Health Program. “While neurotechnologies reflect a contemporary desire for cognitive enhancement, we believe that personalized exercise, quality sleep, nutrition, and emotional well-being are more impactful and sustainable brain stimulation techniques than technology alone,” Lorenzl says.
On the Thai island of Koh Samui, wellness sanctuary Kamalaya has introduced a new brain health facility called Cognitive House, which will be rolling out its Brain Enhancement program this spring. “We are now seeing a paradigm shift where people are not just looking to fix problems but to optimize their mental and emotional performance proactively,” Gopal Kumar says, who is the resort’s group director of wellness development. His team has blended science-backed innovation with holistic therapies to curate their comprehensive offerings (which include neuromodulation therapy and transcranial photobiomodulation—try saying that three times fast if you’d really like to test your brain function).
Who’s a good candidate for brain therapies?
Kumar makes special note that this new frontier is not limited to those with brain injuries or cognitive decline. “We want to empower people to take charge of their brain health before issues arise, rather than waiting for symptoms to become irreversible,” he says. In fact, many of the guests arriving to treatment programs such as these are experiencing commonplace grievances. “Some are mentally fatigued, anxious, or struggling with focus, sleep disturbances, and burnout,” Kumar says.
Of course, these treatment programs can also be beneficial for more worrying problems, such as memory deficits or mild disorientation. “Our expertise extends to a broad range of neurological disorders, including migraines, muscular disorders, polyneuropathy, and movement disorders,” Lorenzl says, adding that Lanserhof Tegernsee’s staff also provides comprehensive assessments and treatment recommendations for individuals with epilepsy.
A tailored approach
It goes without saying, but a treatment targeted toward your brain—a famously sensitive organ—should be approached with the utmost discernment (and maybe even a sprinkle of skepticism for good measure). As always, never enter a treatment plan without consulting your doctor first, and remember that every brain is unique. “No two are the same, just like fingerprints,” Houde says, who nods to factors like genetics, upbringing, lifestyle, and environment as shaping how our brains function. And it’s these factors that offer clues as to how one might respond to a treatment.
She gives the example of cold plunges, which have been praised for their ability to regulate the nervous system, but may not be suitable for everyone. “Cold plunges can be detrimental to individuals with fragile systems, such as those at risk of stroke, cardiovascular conditions, weakened immune systems, epilepsy, or dysautonomia,” she says. “Many wellness treatments may sound promising, especially when we are desperate for help, but just because something is marketed well or trending does not mean it is the right approach for everyone.”
For those apprehensive about neurological treatments that involve the use of technology, there are still brain-focused programs that can be explored. “Technology is amazing, and it is exciting to see what the future holds for the care and treatment of more complex cases, but also remember that the tools to support your brain and body are already within you, and free medicine is all around us,” Houde says, pointing to daily habits like intentional nose breathing, exposure to morning sunlight, and daily movement as examples.
That said, if you’re eager to join the longstanding tradition of traveling to a beautiful destination in the name of wellness, the brain-focused treatments ahead are well worth the journey.
Brain treatments worth traveling for
Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapies (HBOT) are pressurized environments with increased oxygen, aimed to improve brain function (as well as a host of other purported benefits such as ensuring a stronger immune system and an improved complexion). The use of HBOT in brain-related disorders is pending FDA approval but studies have shown that the treatment can improve cognitive health. Several wellness resorts around the world offer this type of therapy, including The Upper House in Hong Kong, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland, and newly-opened LIVV Cardiff in California (San Diego’s first private wellness club).
Gut-Brain Programs
“Research emphasizes the critical role of the gut-brain axis in promoting healthy brain aging,” Lorenzl says. Keeping this in mind, many wellness destinations are promoting their nutritional programming as a means of achieving cognitive enhancement. At Lanserhof Tegernsee, comprehensive bloodwork helps to evaluate metabolic and nutritional markers influencing brain health, and a microbiome analysis examines gut health and its impact on cognitive well-being.
Cranial Sacral Massages
Typically referred to as craniosacral therapy, this treatment fall squarely within the ‘alternative medicine’ category (meaning it lacks robust scientific study). Regardless, it’s popping up in some of the most highly regarded wellness destinations around the world, from the newly revamped Mii amo in Sedona to Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill, New York. The gentle, hands-on technique focuses on the membranes and fluid of the craniosacral system, with the aim of releasing tension in the muscles, membranes, and fascia.
Brain Workshops
Nicknamed ‘The Brain Health Doctor,’ Houde hosts workshops at CIVANA that offer a deep dive into neuroplasticity as well as the neurology of mindfulness. “In my workshops, I guide people to recognize that the brain does not distinguish between good or bad; it simply repeats what it is taught, reinforcing both positive and negative patterns over time,” Houde says, adding that by reshaping these responses, you can “break free from old habits and create healthier, more empowering ones.”
Sound and Light Therapy
The recent rise in “frequency therapy” funnels into the broader shift toward brain health, with subatomic treatments ranging from light therapy to sound baths. At Kamalaya’s Cognitive House, the use of photobiomodulation (low level light therapy) is available as a brain treatment and uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to deliver precise wavelengths of near-infrared (NIR) light, which are then absorbed by the body’s cells. This is intended to improve blood flow to the brain, as well as enhance cognitive clarity.
This article was originally published on British Vogue.
